Thinking about applying manure soon on fields where short-season crops like sweet corn or peas have already come off or will be harvested in the next few weeks? Consider planting a cover crop to hold the nutrients in place this fall and next spring, according to this article from University of Minnesota Extension.

Consider planting a cover crop that will hold onto both nutrients and soil, and using a low-disturbance injector to apply manure this fall.

Applying manure before seeding alfalfa may seem counterproductive since alfalfa isn't likely to benefit from any nitrogen, but manure may also have large amounts of macro and micronutrients the crop needs, says University of Nebraska Extension.

Bob Uphoff of Uphoff Ham and Bacon Farm near Madison, Wis., explains how the operation adopted no-till, the challenges they’ve initially faced with incorporating manure in a no-till system, and the low-disturbance injector they’re using now that leaves 90-95% of residue remaining on the surface.

Winter is not the best time to apply manure and should be a last choice, but if you must make an application, follow these tips and regulations, provided by Penn State Extension.

If wheat is planted at a 1-inch depth and swine or dairy manure is surface applied, there should be no problem applying 4,000 or 5,000 gallons per acre of manure, says Ohio State University Extension.